WR-239: Introduction to Daoism (2017-2018)

Introduces key developments in Daoist practice. Provides a brief sketching of the cultural context of late ancient China (900BCE – 90CE), including some biography regarding the scholars Lao-tzu, Chuang-tzu, and Confucius (700BCE – 300BCE). Also examines the modern appeal of Daoism in the western United States and beyond, including rituals, disciplines, and some theology. To accomplish both the context goals and the understanding of practice, course work compares and contrasts Daodeching and Chuang-tzu with the more familiar aphoristic writing of Marcus Aurelius in order to locate the value of this ancient faith by contrasting it with something that is suitably similar and more familiar in terms of presentation.